Means for sealing the edge of a panel to frame means



July 13, 1965 A. BUT-LER MEANS FOR SEALING THE EDGE OF A PANEL TO FRAME Filed July 9, 1962 MEANS 'amm k @/3 FIG. 2

IN VENTOR.

ALFONSE BUTLER United States atent O 3,194,299 y MEANS FOR SEALING Tim EDGE F A. PANEL T FRAME MEANS Alfonso Butler, 4396 Maycrest Ave., Los Angeies 32, Calif. Filed .luly 9, 1962, Ser. No. 2%,456 S Claims. (Cl. 16u-40) Generally speaking, the present invention relates to an edge-sealing apparatus or means for sealing the edge of a panel to an effective frame means or portion surrounding an aperture in a wall.

More particularly, in one preferred form of the invention, the aperture in the wall may comprise a window aperture and the effective frame means surrounding same may comprise a window frame means or casing means adapted to receive, in an edgeoealed manner, the panel which, in one specific exemplary form of the invention, may comprise a window screen panel. However, said panel may comprise a storm window panel, or any other panel, and the word paneL as used herein, is to be so construed.

The window frame or window casing means (and the associated window means) may be of any suitable type such as a storm window type, a conventional single panel window type, or any -other type and also may he of a form not normally adapted to be opened or may be of a type adapted to be opened whenever desired in any of several different manners. For example, it may be of the sliding sash window type, or of any of the various pivy@tally mounted single or multiple panel window types, or of any of the louvered or jalousie window types, or of any other type.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, while one exemplary preferred form of the invention referred to in considerable detail hereinafter comprises a form wherein the aperture is a window aperture, the frame means is a window frame means or window casing, and the panel is a window screen panel, this is for exemplary purposes only and it should be clearly understood that the invention is not specifically so limited.

It should be clearly noted that an edge-sealed window screen is highly advantageous because of the fact that it positively excludes all types of small insects and other pests which frequently manage to pass the relatively loose unsealed edges of conventional prior art window screens.

It should also be noted that such edgesea1ing is also extremely important for a storm window for much the same reasons, plus the weather isolation feature and/or thermal barrier feature required therein.

Furthermore, this type of edge sealing provides a relatively solid, non-vibratory, and non-rattling connection between the window screen (or storm Window) panel and the window frame so that it will not rattle or vibrate as a result of the presence of high intensity winds or other sources of vibration.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel edge-sealing means of the character referred to above which is adapted for quick and easy attachment with respect to a window frame or window casing portion of a wall surrounding and defining a window aperture therein whereby to provide an arrangement for normally completely sealing the edges of a window screen panel or storm window panel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel edge-sealing apparatus of the character referred to hereinbefore, which includes framework means adapted to be quickly and easily attached with respect to window frame or window casing means (or portions) of a wall surrounding and defining a Window aperture therein and which is additionallyl provided with compressible, elastomeric sealing gasket strip means positioned Withfrespect to said framework means for forcible abut? ment? with corresponding edges of a window screen panelor 4storm window panel supported by ther framework'- means whereby to provide positive edge-sealing engagement of said gasket strip means and said Window screen or storm window panel means around the complete periphery thereof when fully assembled with the window screen or storm window panel in fully closed, locked and retained relationship relative to the framework means and the sealing gasket strip means.

It is a further object to provide novel edge-sealing apparatus of the character referred to above, which is so constructed as to be adaptable to being sold in what might be termed a kit or a do-it-yourself disassembled form consisting of various lengths of the individual elements of the apparatus which, when assembled, define the complete apparatus and which can be purchased in rough or iinished pre-cut form or which can be cut at the time of purchase or installation to various different sizes or lengths suitable for assembly so as to comprise the complete apparatus in a size exactly right for a particular window frame or window casing surrounding and defining a particular window aperture in a wall. However, the invention is not specifically so limited, and it may be sold in prefabricated, substantially completely assembled form if desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel pancLedge-sealing apparatus or means for sealing the edge of a panel with respect to the corresponding edge of an aperture in a wall, and which embodies the broad generic features referred to above and/or any of the specific aspects thereof referred to above and which is of relatively simple, inexpensive, easy-to-manufacture, and easyto-install construction such as to be conducive to widespread use thereof.

Further objects are implicit in the detailed description which follows hereinafter (which is to be considered as exemplary of the invention but not specifically limiting it) and said objects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after a careful study of the detailed description which follows hereinafter.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, two exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the hereinbelowdescribed ligures of the accompanying single drawing sheet and are described in detail hereinafter.

FlG. l is a greatly reduced-size View of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention in fully assembled and mounted relationship with respect to a window frame means or portion surrounding a window aperture in a wall, which is shown fragmentarily.

FlG. 2 is a larger-scale, fragmentary, cross-sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows 2--2 of FiG. 1.

FlG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View of the upper left corner of the apparatus of FIG. l, taken in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a central bottom portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 adjacent the bottom edge thereof and is taken in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of FIG. 1.

FlG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the left side elastomeric gasket sealing strip shown in FiG. 2, and the closely adjacent structural elements, drawn to an enlarged scale for clarity.

FlG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the right side elastomeric gasket sealing strip shown in FlG. 2, and the closely adjacent structural elements, drawn to an enlarged scale for clarity.

PEG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in section illustrating a modication of the iirst form of the invention wherein the panel to be mounted in edge-sealed relationship comprises a storm window rather than a `screen. This View illustrates this fragmentarily by show- Ving in section a fragment VV*of ythe left` side panel frame portion (corresponding to that shown at the Ileft `in FIG. 2) and a fragmentary portion-of a window pane carried `thereby in lieuV of`1the screen shown in FIG.` 2. ThisV corresponds Vto* the Vjunction of. the corresponding left side vpanel frame edge of the window screen panel of FIG. 2 with the left'side edge of the window screen itself.

Referring to FIGS.- 146 for exemplary purposes, onev exemplary embodiment of the invention takes a typical exemplary form wherein it-fcomprises the framework tiidinal 'members of L-'shaped v includes two'perpendicula'rly related wing portions-de# lining an interconnecting fvertex'portion andfprovided-V Y with angnlarly Yinwardly disposed .supporting-,wall por-V means, generally indicated at 11,'and which is adaptedVV to be fastened to therwindow frame `or window casing means. (or portions) of a window apertureina wall.

VInthey specific'exemplary form; illustrated in FIGS. i

1-67, said Wallis indicated generally at 12and termi-` nates in said window frame or window casing portions orfm'eans, indicatedgenerally at 13, which surrounds and eiectively definesv said window aperture,which'is jgenerally designated by the reference" numeral 14.

VIn the specific exemplary form of the invention illustrated nFIGS. 1-6, said framework means 171mcludes two horizontally "spaced, substantially parallel, similarrside framewo'rkrportio'ns, indicated generally at 15, and also includes two vertically spaced, substantially.;

horizontally directed,vsubstantially parallelv end framework portions, indicated at 16 inthe case ofthe top end framework portionand at 1d in theV case of the bottom framework portion. f

Said'top and bottom end framework portions 16 and 16'gare adapted to be rigidly connected across said side t framework portions at the top and bottom endsthereof to define said complete framework means 11 in a substantially rectangular, rigid configuration when fastened with. respect -to the Window frame or window casing portionV or means, 13. The nature of this fastening will be described more specifically hereinafter.

Eachof the `two side framework portions 15, and the top land bottom end framework portions 16 and 16 com-- prise a longitudinalmember of substantially L-shapedi cross-sectional configuration including` two yperpendicularly related wing .portions joined together and dening an interconnecting vertex portion, with saidwingportions being further provided-.with angularly disposed in-y wardlyvl directed supportingwallportions or-means ex-v tending angularly Vbetween saidV wing portions of said longitudinal memberon the inner side of said vertex portion joining said two wing portions together andlying in symmetrical angularY relationship relative thereto.

The reference numeral'lS designates `the longitudinal;

Vmember of each of `the side'frameworklportions comprising same, while the reference numeral 17 designates each of the two perpendicularly related wing portions thereof joined togetherso asto define the above men-V tioned interconnecting vertex portion, which is designated by the reference numeral 18.

The aboveA mentionedk angularly disposedsupporting wall portions or means extending between the wing portionsV 17 are `designated by thereference numeral 19. It should be clearly ,noted that the opposed rangularly disposed inwardly directed supporting wall portions yor means 19 of each of the sideframework'portions 15deiines vertically along the length thereof a longitudinal slot meansv 2f0fwhicl1 `.comprises a portion of retentionz means, indicated Ygenerally at 21, which will be described This is true of each of in greater detail hereinafter.

two longitudinalmembers.comprising the side framework portions 15.

Each of the top and bottom framework vportionsv 161 andv 16' comprises corresponding `longitudinal members similar .to those illustrated at v1S in the case of the side? framework portions and describedvin some detail-herein- K Y before.` Also, each'of the top` and bottom end longi- Vcross-section,lezend 16V",

vtions or meansand defining aslotrneans therebetween of a retentionV meansgenerally similartothe `corresponding structures Yof the side .frameworkportions `15, designated by the; reference Vnurnerals 171 through 21: and de f `scribed in some detail hereinbefore In the CeaseV of .thetop orupperend framework Vportion 16' (best shown a in FIG.'j-3)," said'two vperpendicularly' related wing .portions are Adesignated by V the referencev numeral 22, ithef interconnecting vertexlportion is designated by the. reference'. numeral lifand the opposedin-` Y' wardly Vangular-ly disposed ,supporting:WallV portion orY means are designated by the reference numeral ,24, while theslot means definedttherebetween is designated bythe.V

reference numeralrZS :and comprises apart of the retenf tion means, `,enerally designated by tlierefe'rencev numeral The lower framework-portionfl Therefore, further detaileddescription vofrwsaidV elements of the 4lower or bottom end frameworkportionl" are redundant and unnecessary.

The inner angularly Ydisposed supporting wall portions f 19 of the side frameworkportions 15, `thecorresponding inner angularly disposed supportingrwall portions 2li-ofthe top framework portion.1o,andthe corresponding inner angularlyv disposed f supporting Y-wall portions 24j v`of-y `the bottom' or lower framework portion 16 ,are provided with coinpressible, elastomeric sealing gasketjstrip means indicated by the .reference numeral 27. in the ca setofthe side framework .portions 15,u28inrthezcase1of the top framework portiont16, and 218. inthe caseV of the bottomy or lower framework portion :162.

Saidelastomeric sealing gasketl strip means mayfcornf; v prise four individual lengths suitable forengagementwit'n kthe corresponding supportingwallQportions. or meansior f i (best shown fin FIG. 4) includes identical'elements tothose:justldescribeding connection with the upper or top'frarnework portionA l16V f i (best shown ,in` FIG. Ble-identical ,elementsbeingindi-i v cated byV identical vreference 'numeralsy primed,Y'howei/er.

may comprise one continuous :length extending com-' pletely. aroundrfthe` inside'.angularlyfdisposed surface ofVH said supporting walllrneans Vof fallfour. 4of the assembled framework portions 1S, 16,115, "and 165 whereby to. prt.y Y vide one continuous `angularly `disposedresilient sealing z' 'i surface for sealing engagement with corresponding angul,V

Y larly, shapedl and V positioned edge portions @1 of'A a window.

screen .panel frame, generally designated byfthe reference numeral 2.9, andsurroundirigthe completetwindowfscreen panel generally designated by the reference numeralffl".

abletfastening screw meansY 33 -4carried bythe side edge f,

portions ,29 'ofthe window screen panel 3K1 *andfalsov the,... Y

bottom `thumbpperable threaded fastener 33 fcarried 'by 'the bottom Windowfscreen panel frame edge; 2.9LV

' In the-case of thetwo side portion fasteningscrews ,33,5

it should'be .noted that they'vextend ,throughjthe corre-` sponding 'windowscreen panel Aframe sideledge portions 29 into threaded .engagement with4 thev rear wingportion .1

17 of the correspond/ing `side. Afrar'nework portion 15M whereby to beV firmly,but, cpntrollably,remoyably, `fas- ,V tened relative toV said sideA framework portions 15 with the Y Yrearabutment surfaces vavZLfirmly engaginghe sealing,

' gasket strip` means -27 in sealing. relationship therewith:

' Vlncidentally,it shouldbe .noted that 'said ,side-frame-r work portions are themselves fastened to the corresponding side window frame portionsy 13 by suitable threaded fastener means 34 which extend through the side-positioned wing portions 17 of each of the side framework portions 1S directly into threaded engagement with said side window frame or casing portions or means i3. This is clearly shown in FlGS. 2, 5, and 6, and provides a quickly and easily mounting but relatively rigid and strong structural arrangement.

Incidentally, it should be noted that the top and bottom framework portions lo and i6 are similarly fastened by corresponding fastening screws and 35' to the top window frame portion 13 (best shown in FIG. 3) and to the downwardly angularly inclined window sill portion 36 of the bottom part of the window frame means or portion 13 (as is best shown in FIG. 4).

Also, it should be noted that the top edge portion of the window screen panel frame 2') is removably mounted by engaging aperturesy 37 over supporting pins 38 which are threadedly fastened at their rear ends, as indicated at 33"?, to the corresponding rear wing portion 22 of the top framework portion l5, while the bottom edge portion of the window screen'panel frame 29 is controllably removably fastened by the lower digitally operable thumbscrew 33 which extends rearwardly through an aperture 39 in said bottom edge portion of the window screen panel frame 2% for threaded engagement with the rearpositioned wing portion 22 of the lower or bottom framework portion i6.

The above described arrangement provides both a quick and easy means for mounting the entire framework means il with respect to the window frame or window casing means or portion 13 and also provides a quick and easy means for sealingly mounting the window screen panel 31 with respect to said framework means il and the sealing gasket strip comprising the portions 27, 28, and 2S'.

It should be noted that because of the downward inclination of theupper surface of the window sill 36 positioned at the bottom of the window aperture i4, the lower wing portion 22, of the lower framework portion lo is provided with downwardly directed positioning means comprising the two feet 38 which extend downwardly different distances so as to support the lower framework portion lo' in a proper orientation with one of the wing portions 22 vertical and other of the wing portions 22 horizontal despite the fact that the upper surface of the window sill 36 is inclined downwardly so as to be angularly deflected below a horizontal plane.

lt should be noted that while vario-us retention means may be provided for mounting the elastomeric sealing gasket strip means 27, 28, and 28 with respect to the corresponding framework portions, the specific exemplary form illustrated in the figures provides a highly adv-antageous arrangement since it makes ift possible to quickly and easily mount the gasket strip with respect to the framework portions -by merely mechanically and elastically detlectably forcing them into retained relationship. Therefore, each of the retention means, 2l in the case of the two side framework portions 15, 26 in the case of Ithe top Vframework portion i6, and 26 in the case of the bottom framework portion 16', is of identical construction and cach comprises iirst land second elements carried respectively iby the rear surface 'of the sealing gasket strip means and the correspondingly positioned part of the supporting wall portions positioned immediately therebehind.

In the form illustrated with respect to `the iside framework portions 15, the first element of the retention means 2l, mentioned above, comprises lan elastomeric, effectively headed projection 39 while the second element comprises they previously mentioned slot means 2t). The elastomeric effective-ly headed projection 39 (which extends alon-g the ylength of the lgasket `sealing strip Z7) is adapted to be forced through the slot `20 `so that the head its 39 will then positively retain the sealing strip 27 against the supporting Walls 19. lThe same is true with respect rto lthe headed projection 4l of the sealing gasket 2S of the top retention means 26 which is adapted to be similarly forced through the slot 2S for positive retention purposes. This is clearly shown Iin FIG. 3.

The above `is also true of Ithe elastomeric headed projection dit carried by the bottom sealing gasket `strip 23', which is adapted to lbe forced through the slot 25 for Ipositive retention purpose-s `similar to those described in detail. i

Each of the lframework portions is preferably made of extruded metal which can be cu't to the required lengths for any particular window aperture. The end cuts of said framework portions can be made at 45 degrees so that they will join together in abutment at the angular 45 degree junction lines clearly Idesignated by ithe reference numeral 42 in FIG. 1. Said lframework portions Will be held in said relationship by :reason of their being lfastened by the threaded Ifasteners 34, 355, land 35 to the 4surrounding Vwindow frame or window casing portions 13.

Said extruded :framework portions are preferably made of a non-corrodible metal, such as aluminum or the like, although notspeciically so limite-d.

The window screen panel lframe 29 may fbe made of similar material or may be made Iof Wood if desired.

The fastening means may be modified substantially within the scope of the invention.

FdG. 7 merely illustrates la slight modification of the invention wherein the panel does not comprise a window screen, las is designated by `the reference numeral Si in FIGS. 1-6, but Iwherein sai-d panel takes the form of a storm window designated by the reference numeral 31A in this view. All other structural elements are identical to .those illustrated in the first form of the invention shown .in FIGS. 1 6 land described in detail hereinbefo-re. Therefore, corresponding pants, in this fragmentary View, are indicated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter A, however.

It should be understood that the figures and the specific description thereof -set forth in this application are 4for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not to ybe construed as .limiting the present invention to the precise and detailed specific structure sho-wn in the ligures and specifically described hereinbefore. Rather, the real invention is intended to include substantially equivalent construction-s embodying the basic teachings and inventive concept of the present invention.

l claim:

l. Edge-sealing means ifor cont-rollably disengageab'ly sealing the edge of a panel to an effective frame mea-ns surrounding an aperture in a wall, comprising: Iframework means provided with fastening means for fastening said `framework means t-o an effective frame means in a wall surrounding and dening :an aperture therein, said framework means inclu-ding two horizontally spaced, substantially vertically directed, substantially parallel, similar side framework portions, and also including two vertically spaced, `substantially horizontally directed, substantially parallel, end framework port-ions adapted to be connected across 4said side lframework portions iat the top and bottom ends thereof to define Said framework means in a substantially rectangular, rigid configuration, as seen in front elevation, of `a size iand shape corresponding to and adapted to yengage said frame means in said wall surrounding said aperture define-d therein, each of said framework portions compris-es a longitudinal memiher lof `substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration including two perpendicular-fly related planar thin-sheet wing portions joined together and defining an (interconnecting vertex portion, each of said wing portions being provided with coplanar thin-sheet angularly `disposed and spaced portions of supporting wal-l means extending angularly inwardly between said wing ipo-rtions tof said member and lying lon the inner side of said vertex portion-*between said two wing portions'iivhereby itio.V lie lin symmetrical Vangular relationshipv with respect rtheret'of, said .Iangularly l disposed supporting Wall means bein-g provided `with longitudinal'eo-mpressible sealing 4gasket strip v means: coextensive ,with and lying along Vfthe complete: tlengt-h land Width rotan outer surace ofv said 'supporting' Wall means for forcible sealing engagement with the com- |plete surface :areas of 'correspondingly anguiarly 'shaped `fastened across said aperture in said Wall foreffeetively` l ponfionsfin sealing abutting Vengagement with lthe corre-v thereof Vfor Icontrolla'bly, engaging and retaining said sealing gasket stripv means againstsaid complete length `and width of said onter surface of said supporting wall means in said position for sealing engagement ywith said correspondingly anguiarly shaped 'and positioned edge portions of said .paneLsaid retention Ymeans comprising -tirstiand second elements carried, respectively, by a `rca-rV surface of said sealing gasket strip means-land by a correspond` lingly positioned part of said supporting wall means con- Y tiguous with said tirstelemerrttcarried by :the rear surface of said sealing gasket strip means-,said 'tirst element of.

said retention means comprising lan elastomeric effective- Y ily headed longitudinal projection `carried along the length: of the rear-surface of s aid sealing gasket strip means, and f said 4second element of said retentionmeans comprising corresponding receiving lslot -means carried `ral-ong 'fthe f length of each Iof sai-d supporting wal-l means and definedVv between saidcoplanar thin-sheet :anguiarlydisposed and spacedportions of said supporting wvalel means along the .length thereof, s-aidriirst land sec-ond elem-ents being resilyientlyengaged by `forcible and temporary ldeormationv Vofv sai-d .elastomeric effectively headed projection deringl insertion ithereof through said siot means into a llyre- Y tions `angulfarly shaped and positioned in correspondence v Wit-hth'e ,.angularly shaped yand positioned sealingigasket f strip means carried by thexsuppontingwall means, said panel l,being removably receivable within said framework means lwirth said :angularly-shaped and positioned edge i portions in sealing abutting Yengagement with the correspondingly `angularly shapedhand positioned sealing gasket `stri-p means.

3. Edge-sealing .a panelwo-f substantially rectangular coniiguration-sirniiar in size ,and shape :to,-b11t slight-ly smaller than, said framemeans as defined 1in claim 1 including i Work meansfand being provided Withi-abiitment edge por! w tions lsingularly vshaped Y and positioned in correspondence i. with`the `angularly shaped" and positioned seailin-g jgasketV stripmeans carriedby the supportingwa'll means, said fpanel being removablyreceivable `vWithin seiidframeworb Y means with said angiilarlyrshaped and'ipositioned edge sp'ondingly angularly shaped and positioned sealing gasket stripmeans, said-panel-being provided with fastening. means forxtast-ening saniegiirmly'iwith',respect t-o'said framework means with "said aniguliarly shaped vand posi# tioned edgeiportions'ef said panel,inabutting'seaglingen#i gagement with lithe correspondingly vrangoli'arly shaped and` positioned sealing :gasket strip means.

@Edge-sealing meanslas deiined in cl-airnl` includingVV :aV panel of substantially krectangularconiigiunationsimiliar.

in size and shape-to, but slightly smaller than,saidfrafme Y Work 1 means and being provid-ed` with abnitmentedge i poitionsv angnlarly` shaped fand positioned in correspondence Withthe Yangujlarly shaped 'and positioned sealing gasket stripgirneans carried by the supporting wall means, said,` panel beingk removably receivable within saiddnamevvork"Y t means vwith said ifangularly'- shaped "andtpositione'd edge 1 portions in sealing `.abutting engagement lWith ft-hetcorre-` spondingly angilflarly shaped vland Vpositioned'-.sealing jgas-V ket strip means-,said edge portions toffsaidpanei being provided Wvith""controila'bly engage'able fastening screw means-for fasteninggsame iirm'lyfwith ,respectifs sai-dj framework means With said,angnjla'rllyl shaped and posi-i" .tione'd edge portions.y of said panel. inhabutting sealingfem, l

Igagement Withthe conrespondinglylangularly shaped and positioned sealing lgasket strip4 means; i Y

5.*Edge-sealing means Yas deiined in cl'aimljwherein "said end `iranien/origY-portion positioned at thenbottom of 'i said yframework means isV provided ,with` adapter means along the bott-oni therecfforengagernent.with atgcorre-i spondingly shaped lower siii portion-'of said vf ramenieans Y in vsaidfvvali surrounding .and ldefining said `aperture .theref- References Cited'by theExaminer UrrED stares PATENTS Herman; g V204,53' 

1. EDGE-SEALING MEANS FOR CONTROLLABLY DISENGAGEABLY SEALING THE EDGE OF A PANEL TO AN EFFECTIVE FRAME MEANS SURROUNDING AN APERTURE IN A WALL COMPRISING: FRAMEWORK MEANS PROVIDED WITH FASTENING MEANS FOR FASTENING SAID FRAMEWORK MEANS TO AN EFFECTIVE FRAME MEANS IN A WALL SURROUNDING AND DEFINING AN APERTURE THEREIN, SAID FRAMEWORK MEANS INCLUDING TWO HORIZONTALLY SPACED, SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY DIRECTED, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, SIMILAR SIDE FRAMEWORK PORTIONS, AND ALSO INCLUDING TWO VERTICALLY SPACED, SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DIRECTED, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, END FRAMEWORK PORTIONS, ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED ACROSS SAID SIDE FRAMEWORK PORTIONS AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM ENDS THEREOF TO DEFINE SAID FRAMEWORK MEANS IN A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR, RIGID CONFIGURATION AS SEEN IN FRONT ELEVATION, OF A SIZE AND SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID FRAME MEANS IN SAID WALL SURROUNDING SAID APERTURE DEFINED THEREIN, EACH OF SAID FRAMEWORK PORTIONS COMPRISES A LONGITUDINAL MEMBER OF SUBSTANTIALLY L-SHAPED CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION INCLUDING TWO PERPENDICULARLY RELATED PLANAR THIN-SHEET WING PORTIONS JOINED TOGETHER AND DEFINING AN INTERCONNECTING VERTEX PORTION, EACH OF SAID WING PORTIONS BEING PROVIDED WITH COPLANAR THIN-SHEET ANGULARLY DISPOSED AND SPACED PORTIONS OF SUPPORTING WALL MEANS EXTENDING ANGULARLY INWARDLY BETWEEN SAID WING PORTIONS OF SAID MEMBER AND LYING ON THE INNER SIDE OF SAID VERTEX PORTION BETWEEN SAID TWO WING PORTIONS WHEREBY TO LIE IN SYMMETRICAL ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT THERETO, SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED SUPPORTING WALL MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH LONGITUDINAL COMPRESSIBLE SEALING GASKET STRIP MEANS COEXTENSIVE WITH AND LYING ALONG THE COMPLETE LENGTH AND WIDTH OF AN OUTER SURFACE OF SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS FOR FORCIBLE SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMPLETE SURFACE AREAS OF CORRESPONDINGLY ANGULARLY SHAPED AND POSITIONED EDGE PORTIONS OF A PANEL ADAPTED TO BE FASTENED ACROSS SAID PORTIONS OF A PANEL ADAPTED TO BE CLOSING SAME, SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS AND SAID SEALING GASKET STRIP MEANS BEING EFFECTIVELY PROVIDED WITH CONTROLLABLY ENGAGEABLE RETENTION MEANS ALONG THE LENGTHS THEREOF FOR CONTROLLABLY ENGAGING SAID RETAINING SAID SEALING GASKET STRIP MEANS AGAINST SAID COMPLETE LENGTH AND WIDTH OF SAID OUTER SURFACE OF SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS IN SAID POSITION FOR SEALING ENGAGEWNT WITH SAID CORRESPONDINGLY ANGULARLY SHAPED AND POSITIONED EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID PANEL, SAID RETENTION MEANS COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ELEMENTS CARRIED, RESPECTIVELY, BY A REAR SURFACE OF SAID SEALING GASKET STRIP MEANS AND BY A CORRESPONDINGLY POSITIONED PART OF SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS CONTIGUOUS WITH SAID FIRST ELEMENT CARRIED BY THE REAR SURFACE OF SAID SEALING GASKET STRIP MEANS, SAID FIRST ELEMENT OF SAID RETENTION MEANS COMPRISING AN ELASTOMERIC EFFECTIVELY HEADED LONGITUDINAL PROJECTION CARRIED ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE REAR SURFACE OF SAID SEALING GASKET STRIP MEANS, AND SAID SECOND ELEMENT OF SAID RETENTION MEANS COMPRISING CORRESPONDING RECEIVING SLOT MEANS CARRIED ALONG THE LENGTH OF EACH OF SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS CARRIED ALONG THE BETWEEN SAD COPLANAR THIN-SHEET ANGULARLY DISPOSED AND SPACED PORTIONS OF SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ELEMENTS BEING RESILIENTLY ENGAGED BY FORCIBLE AND TEMPORARY DEFORMATION OF SAID ELASTOMERIC EFFECTIVELY HEADED PROJECTION DURING INSERTION THEREOF THROUGH SAID SLOT MEANS INTO A FULLY RETAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID COPLANAR THINSHEET ANGULARLY DISPOSED AND SPACED PORTIONS OF SAID SUPPORTING WALL MEANS ON EACH SIDE OF SAID RECEIVING SLOT MEANS. 